• Psalm 51
• Miserere mei, Deus

¹ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness;*

in your great compassion blot out my offenses.

² Wash me through and through from my wickedness*

and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I know my transgressions,*

and my sin is ever before me.

⁴ Against you only have I sinned*

and done what is evil in your sight.

⁵ And so you are justified when you speak*

and upright in your judgment.

⁶ Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth,*

a sinner from my mother's womb.

⁷ For behold, you look for truth deep within me,*

and will make me understand wisdom secretly.

⁸ Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure;*

wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.

⁹ Make me hear of joy and gladness,*

that the body you have broken may rejoice.

¹⁰ Hide your face from my sins*

and blot out all my iniquities.

¹¹ Create in me a clean heart, O God,*

and renew a right spirit within me.

¹² Cast me not away from your presence*

and take not your holy Spirit from me.

¹³ Give me the joy of your saving help again*

and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

¹⁴ I shall teach your ways to the wicked,*

and sinners shall return to you.

¹⁵ Deliver me from death, O God,*

and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness,

O God of my salvation.

¹⁶ Open my lips, O Lord,*

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

¹⁷ Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice,*

but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.

¹⁸ The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit;*

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

¹⁹ Be favorable and gracious to Zion,*

and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

²⁰ Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices,

with burnt-offerings and oblations;*

then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.